Sirach 28

1. 1He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.
2. 2Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest.
3. 3One man beareth hatred against another, and doth he seek pardon from the Lord?
4. 4He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins?
5. 5If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sins?
6. 6Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.
7. 7Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.
8. 8Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins: for a furious man will kindle strife,
9. 9A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace.
10. 10As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth: and as a man’s strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger riseth; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed.
11. 11An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood.
12. 12If thou blow the spark, it shall burn: if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of thy mouth.
13. 13Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.
14. 14A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities hath it pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men.
15. 15A backbiting tongue hath cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labours.
16. 16Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.
17. 17The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.
18. 18Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.
19. 19Well is he that is defended through the venom thereof; who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been bound in her bands.
20. 20For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass.
21. 21The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it.
22. 22It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.
23. 23Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard.
24. 24Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns, and bind up thy silver and gold,
25. 25And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth.
26. 26Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait.

King James Version (Authorized Version), public domain. USFM edition by eBible.org (https://ebible.org/eng-kjv/). Public Domain. Sources and licences